Blida, Algeria May 12, 2011 –
Inna Matveyeva scored a game high 18 points as Kazakhstan beat Algeria
in straight sets 25-11, 25-13, 25-21 in the first of two play-off
matches in Blida, Algeria for the right to participate in the 2011 World
Grand Prix.

The 32-year-old former captain
was in devastating form as Kazakhstan, ranked 19th in the world, started
too strongly for their 15th ranked opponents racing to a first set win
before comfortably wrapping up the second. Increased vocal support from
the home fans saw Algeria finally click and take advantage of some
sloppy Kazakhstan play at the net to lead 9-6 early in the third set
however normal course soon resumed and at 22-17, Kazakhstan had the
victory sewn up, making it two wins from two matches in the history
between these two nations with Kazakhstan having beaten Algeria in four
sets at the 2008 Olympic Games.

The
two teams will meet again on Saturday for the 16th and final spot in
this year’s World Grand Prix, which is set to run from August 5 to 21
with the final round being held in Macau, China for the first time since
2001 from August 24 to 28. It is the first time a playoff is being used for the World Grand Prix.Kazakhstan
just need to win one set on Saturday to compete in their third World
Grand Prix. Their previous two outings were in 2007 and 2008 when they
finished 10th and 12th respectively. Most recently they competed at the
2010 FIVB Volleyball Women’s World Championship in Japan, finishing 21st
after failing to win a match, despite pushing Cuba to five sets.

Algeria
have never competed in the World Grand Prix and if they qualify will
become the first African side to do so since the tournament’s inception
in 1993. The team have peaked in recent years and are now considered one
of the top teams in Africa, most recently winning the 2009 African
Continental Championship. However that success has yet to transpire to
the world stage as they also finished 21st at last year’s Women’s World
Championship.